Shoe



July 28, 1936. c. F. ROHN ET AL SHOE Filed Jan. '7, 1935 INVENTOR.

ca. BY W ATTORNEY Patented July 28, 1936 UNITED STATES snon Chester F. Rolm and Franklyn A.

Milwaukee, Wis.

Rolm,

Application January 'z, 1935, Serial No. 71': 3 Claims. (01. 36-17) The present invention relates generaly to improvements in the art of manufacturing footwear, and relates more specifically to improvements in the mode of attaching the soles and heels to shoes 5 for men, women, and children.

Generally defined, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved sole and heel attachment for the soles and heels of welt shoes of the cushioned type.

It has heretofore been customary in the manufacture of so-called nailless heel-cushioned shoes of the Goodyear welt type, to unite the welt and heel portion of the outsole by' means of a row of stitching piecing both the welt and outsole and extending around the heel portion of the shoe.

While the method of attachment was relatively satisfactory when used in connection with mens shoes, wherein the heel portion of the welt is relatively wide and the outer bounding surface of the heel is substantialy vertical, it involved considerable difficulty and introduced serious objection when applied to ladies and children's shoes, wherein the heel welt was narrow and the heel itself was undercut. In these latter types of shoes,

the attaching stitching for the outsole would objectionably weaken the welt and outsole at the heel portion of the shoe and would prevent proper external finishing by virtue of the fact that some of the stitches would be visible in the completedshoe structure. These difliculties were enhanced in shoes having internal b'uilt-in cushions at the heels, because such cushions prevented attachment of the heel portions of the outsoles, excepting through the heel welts.

The present invention, therefore, contemplates provision of a mode of attaching the outsoles to the weltsof the heel portions of shoes, which overcomes all of the objectionable features of this prior mode of nailless attachment.

40 Some of the more important specific objects of the invention are as follows:

To provide an improved nailless attachment for the heel portions of the soles of heel-cushioned shoes, whereby maximum durability and strength are assured.

To provide improved structure for insuring firm attachment of the outsoles to the welts of Goodyear welt shoes, especially of the type having 55 To provideimproved means for insuring rigid attachment of the heel to cushioned heel shoes of various kinds, without interfering with the efiectiveness of the heel cushion and with the external contour of the shoe structure.

To provide an improved shoe structure of rela- 5 tively high quality, which may be manufactured and sold at minimum cost, and which is highly effective in use.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description.

A clear conception of several embodiments of the present improvement, and of the mode of attaching the soles to the heel portions of both mens and womens shoes manufactured in ac- 15 cordance with the invention, may be had by referring to the drawing accompanying and forming a part of thisspecification, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts in the several views.

Fig. 1 is a central, longitudinal, vertical sectio through a cushioned mans shoe; v

Fig. 2 is a central, longitudinal, vertical section through a similarly cushioned 'womans shoe; and

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary bottom view of the 25 woman's shoe, portions thereof having been broken away to reveal internal-structure.

While the invention has been shown herein as being specifically applied to mens and ladies dress,shoes of the Goodyear welt type, it is not 30 intended to unnecessarily limit the scope by such specific embodiment since some of the novel features may be more generaly applicable to other types and stylesof footwear.

Referring to Fig- 1 of the drawing, the improved 3:. cushioned Goodyear welt type of man's shoe shown therein comprises in general an upper 5 having the usual lining 6 and counter forming a part thereof; an insole 8 provided with a continuous, integral, downwardly extending inseam- 0 'ridge 9; a welt lfl extending entirely around the lower portion of the upper 5 and circumscribing the inseam ridge 9; a resilient main cushion pad I I substantially filling the cavity in' the lower part of the insole 8 formed by the inseam ridge 9; a 45' one-piece outsole I2 extending throughout the entire area beneath the insole 8, welt l0, and pad II; and a heel structure composed of-a heel base I3 and a lower heel I attached to each other and to the heel portion of the outsole I! in superimposed relationship. 4

The upper 5, including the lining 6 and counter], is ordinarily firmly attached to the inseam ridge 9 ofthe insole 8; as well as-to-the welt l0,

, by means of inseam stitching 1,5 extending entirely around the lower portion of the shoe. The main resilient cushioning pad II may be formed of any suitable springy or resilient material, such 'as sponge rubber; and this main pad may be composed of one or more pieces of ordinary sheet material of such thickness as to provide a substantial filler for the cavity formed at the bottom of the insole 8 by the continuous inseam ridge 9, without having the cushion pad II project an appreciable distance below the ridge in the assembled shoe. The lower portion of the insole 8 may be provided with the usual lining, and the main cushioning pad II is preferably attached to this lining by means of adhesive. The insole 8 may also be provided at the shank portion thereof with one or more vent holes (not shown) in order to'permit breathing of the sponge rubber cushioning pad I I. A resilient shank stiffener I6 formed of metal or other suitable material is preferably provided directly beneath the shank portion of the main cushioning pad II, and this stiffener I6 extends rearwardly to a point slightly beyond the breast of the heel and lies fiat against the top of the outsole I2.

The, heel cushioning and attaching structure,

which constitutes an important part of the present improvement, comprises, in addition to the heel portion of the main cushioning pad II, an insert I! having a central opening I8 therein formed for the reception of an auxiliary cushion pad I9. The insert I! may be formed of any suitable material and may be of sufficient size to extend beneath the inseam ridge 9 but not therebeyond, and this insert preferably projects forwardly in proximity to the breast of the heel and may be notched to receive the rear end of the shank stiffener I6. The insert I'I- rests directly upon the outsole I2 beneath the heel portion of the main pad II, and the central opening I8 is preferably formed circular. The auxiliary cushioning pad I9, which is disposed within this opening I8, may also be formed of sponge rubber or other highly elastic material, and substantially fills the opening I8 but is of greater thickness than the insert II, thereby slightly elevating the insole 8 at the heel portion ofthe shoe and causing the auxiliary pad I9 to become partially imbedded within the heel portion of the main pad II when the outsole I2 is permanentlyconnected to the welt I0. In accordance with the present invention, the attachment of the outsole I2 to the welt II] is effected by cementing the coacting elements, along the joint 20 extending inwardly to the insert I1; and this cemented joint 20 not only serves to unite the outsole I2 with the upper and the welt I0, but also retains the insert I! and cushion pad I9 in proper position within the pocket formed by the heel. portion of the upper.

As previously indicated, the heel of the shoe is composed of a heel base I3 and a lower heel I4, the former of which may be formed of rubber or leather and may be attached directly to the heel portion of the outsole I2 with the aid of cement. The lower heel I4 may be formed of rubber and has a core 2| of wire gauze, wood, harder rubber, leather, or other suitable material, permanently imbedded therein, as shown; and this core 2I is of the same general shape as the lower heel I4 but is of lesser area, so that it will not be visible combined heel structure is additionally permanently attached to the outsole I2 by a series of pegs 22 formed of tough fibrous material. These pegs 22 are driven through the rubber of the lower heel I4, and through the edge portions of the core 2| and heel base I3, and also substantially penetrate the heel portion of the outsole I2, so that the points of the pegs 22 may strike the insert II, which will then serve to laterally deflect the peg points into the material of the outsole I2 and will enhance the attachment of the heel to the shoe without permitting the pegs to penetrate the cushioning pads. After the pegs 22 have been thus driven home, the openings in the rubber of the lower heel I4 will automatically close to thereby make the peg attachment invisible and to protect the pegs 22 from exposure to wear and weather. It has also been found that when the pegs 22 have been driven through the metallic or fibrous core 2|, and into the heel base I3 and outsole I2, they swell or become enlarged and are thereafter removable only by destruction of the pegs 22. It is also to benoted that the pegs 22 do not constitute the sole means of attaching the heel to the shoe, since the cementing between the lower heel I4 and heel base I3, and betweenthe heel base I3 and the outer sole I 2, provides ad'- ditional means for insuring firm attachment.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawing, the improved cushioned Goodyear welt type of womens shoes shown therein is of slightly modified construction, comprising in general an upper 25 having the usual lining 26 and counter 21 forming a part thereof; an insole 28 provided with a continuous, integral, downwardly extending inseam ridge 29; a welt 30 extending entirely around the lower portion of the upper 25 and circumscribing the inseam ridge 29; a. resilient main cushion pad 3I substantially filling the cavity in the lower part of the insole 28 formed by the inseam ridge 29; a one-piece outsole 32 extending thoughout the entire area beneath the insole 28,

welt 30, and cushion pad 3|; and a heel structure composed of a heel base 33 and a composite lower heel 34 firmly attached to each other and to the heel portion of the outsole 32 in superimposed relationship. I

The upper 25, including the lining 26 and counter 21, is ordinarily firmly and permanently attached to the inseam ridge 29 of the insole 28, as well as to the welt 30, by means of inseam stitching 35 extendingentirely around the lower portion of the shoe. The main resilient cushionlng pad 3I may again be formed of suitable springy or resilient material; such as sponge rubber; and this main pad maybe composed of one or more pieces of ordinary sheet material of such thickness that it will-provide a substantial filler for the cavity formed at-the bottom of the insole 28 by the continuous inseam ridge 29. The lower. portion of the insole 28 may be provided with the usual lining, and the main cushioning pad 3I is preferably attached to this lining by means of adhesive. The insole 28 may also be provided at the shank portion thereof with one or more vent holes so as to permit breathing "of the sponge rubber pad 3|. A resilient metallic shank stiffener 36 is. preferably provided directly beneath the shank portion of the main cushioning pad 3I,. and this stiffener 36 extends rearwardly to a point slightly beyond the breast of the heel, and likewise directly against the top of the outsole 32.

The heel cushioning and attaching structure of this modification, which again constitutes an im- 7 portant part of the present improvement, com-. prises, in addition'to the heel portion of the cushioning pad 3|, a spacing insert 31 having a central opening 38 therein formed for the reception of an auxiliary cushioning pad 39. The insert 31 may be formed of any suitable material, and may be of sufficient size to extend up to or beneath the inseam ridge 39 but not therebeyond; and this insert preferably projects forwardly in proximity to the breast of the heel and may be notched to receive the rear end of the shank stiflener 36. The spacing insert 3'! rests directly upon the outsole, and the central opening 38 is preferably ofxcircular formation. The auxiliary cushioning pad 39, which is disposed within the opening 38, may also be formed of sponge rubber or other highly elastic 'material,

and substantially fills the opening 38 butis of somewhat greater thickness than the spacing insert 31, thereby slightly elevating the insole 38 at the heel portion of the shoe and causing the auxiliary pad 39 to .become partially imbedded within the adjacent main pad 3| when the outsole 32 is permanently attached to the welt 30. In accordance with the present improvement, the welt and outsole are not sewed together, but the attachment of the outsole 32 to the welt 30 is effected solely by cementing the coacting elements along the joint 40. This cemented joint 40 not only serves to unite the outsole 32 to the upper and to the welt 30, but also retains the spacing insert 31 and auxiliary pad 39 in proper position within the recess formed by the upper and above the heel.

As heretofore indicated, the heel of this lady's sho is composed of a heel base 33 and a composite lower heel 34. The heel base 33 may be formed of rubber or leather, and is attached to the heel portion of the outsole 32 before the same is cemented to the welt, both by cementing and sewing. A raw leather binder 4| is first cemented directly to the heel portion of the outsole and is additionally attached thereto by one or more rows of stitching 42, as clearly shown in the drawing. The heel base 33 is then cemented to the raw leather binder 4| and is additionally attached thereto by stitching 43 extending through the outsole. The composite lower heel 34 may be composed of a bottom layer of rubber cemented to the lower face of a core composed either of a series of layers or of a solid block of wood, leather, fiber, or other suitable material. As previously indicated, this lower heel is cemented to the lower face of the heel base 33, and may be additionally thereto by means of one or more pegs or nails 44. By virtue of the fact that no Aewing is utilized near the peripheral heel portion of the shoe, the lower heel 34 may be undercut a considerable distance without weakening the heel structure, thereby permitting desirable shaping of. the exterior of the shoe structure.

' From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the present invention provides an improved structure applicable to either men's, women's, or childrens footwear, whereby the heel portion of thy/outsole may be firmly and efiectively attached to the adjacent welt, without utilizing either nails or stitching. This attachment may be utilized either in the ordinary noncushioned shoes, or in the more refined heelcushioned shoes, but finds greatest utility when applied to the latter, because of'the fact that the provision of a heel cushion necessarily limits the available points for attachment. The improved shoes can be readily manufactured "with ordinary standard equipment, and have been found to.be extremely durable.

In men's shoes, the heel structure can be easily and firmly attached to the heel portion of the outsole by utilizing a lower heel M as shown in' Fig. 1 and by further utilizing the pegs 22 with cemented joints of coaction between the lower heel and the heel base and between the heel base and the outsole. In ladies shoes, the use of the raw leather binder 4| and of the stitching 42 and 43, likewise insures firm attachment of the heel structure to the outsole. In either case, the insert surounding the auxiliary cushioning pad serves to provide a recess for this pad whereby the same is retained in proper position,

and the use of the auxiliary cushioning pad has 20 been found extremely desirable since it affords additional cushioning at the heel portion of the shoe.

It should be understood that it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact details of construction herein shown and described, for various modifications within the scope of A the claims may occur to persons skilled in the art.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a shoe, an insole having an inseam ridge, an upper and a welt sewed to said inseam ridge around the heel portion of the shoe, a cushion disposed within the cavity formed by said inseam ridge at the heel portion of said insole, an 35 outsole, a heel binder cemented and sewed to one surface of said outsole, a heel base cemented and sewed to said heel binder, and a lower heel attached to said heel base, the other surface of the outsole coacting with said cushion and being permanently cemented to said welt at said heel portion.

2. In a shoe, an insole having an inseam ridge, an upper-and a welt sewed to said inseam ridge around the heel portion of the shoe, a cushion disposed within the cavity formed by said inseam ridge at the heel portion of said insole, an outsole, a heel binder cemented and sewed to one side of said outsole, a heel base cemented and sewed to said heel binder, a lower heel cemented to said heel base, and means additionally attachlng said lower heel to said -'heel base, the other side of said outsole coacting with saidcushion and being permanently secured to said welt at the heel portion only by. cement.

3. In a shoe, an insole having an inseam ridge, an upper and a welt sewed to the inseam ridge at the heel portion of the shoe, a local cushion disposed within the inseam ridge'at the heel portion of said insole, a spacing insert surrounding said cushion and snugly confined .within the recess formed by the lower portion of said upper at the heel portion of the shoe, an outsole coacting along one side with said cushion and insert and with said upper and welt beyond said insert, said outsole being permanently attached to said upper and welt outwardly beyond said insert and only with the aid of cement, a heel base cemented t9 the opposite side of said outsole, and a lower heel attached to said heel base.

CHESTER F. ROHN. FRANKLYN A. ROHN. 

